The Arthur Ellis Awards, established in 1984 and named after the nom de travail of Canada's official hangman, are awarded annually by the CWC in the following categories.

For published works released in 2018:

Best Crime Novel

Best Crime First Novel sponsored by Rakuten Kobo with a $1000 prize

The Lou Allin Memorial Best Crime Novella with a $200 prize

Best Crime Short Story sponsored by Mystery Weekly with a $300 prize

Best French Crime Book (Fiction and Nonfiction)

Best Juvenile or YA Crime Book (Fiction and Nonfiction)

Best Nonfiction Crime Book

For unpublished novels:

The Unhanged Arthur Award for Best Unpublished Crime Manuscript sponsored by Dundurn Press with a $500 prize

The Arthur Ellis Awards are for CRIME WRITING, and are not restricted to mystery writing. Crime-writing encompasses far more than the traditional whodunit. The crime genre includes crime, detective, espionage, mystery, suspense, and thriller writing, as well as fictional or factual accounts of criminal doings and crime-themed literary works. If you are not certain that your submission qualifies as a crime book or story, please contact us at

The Arthur Ellis Awards are open to permanent residents of Canada, or by Canadian citizens living abroad.